Storm Wolves make fire in the rain

Last time we met, the Storm Wolves were greeted with a shining winter sun. This time around, we were met with the light rain more typical of our region. Our focus being the Art of Fire, this presented us with the perfect opportunity to take our fire lighting skills to the next level. Last time we were out each of the boys were given a single wooden match. This time the group was given a book of paper matches with only four matches remaining, and challenged to ignite a small fire. First however, we had to find an appropriate location.

Planning and navgation

Heading over to the map, we figured out where it was we had been last time we visited Lookout Mountain and a general area we thought we might like to set up our base camp. A course of action decided upon, we headed out along the trail. We stopped and checked out the remains of a deer that had died some weeks ago and discussed what could have happened to it. Only the spine and skull remained and we decided that coyotes must have been feeding on it for so little of the deer to remain.

Investigating a deer carcass and wondering what could have happened

With the boys leading the way, we soon arrived at our destination and cut off the trail to look for a place to set up shop. Once we thinking about setting up and lighting a fire, the first thing everyone noticed was how much wetter it was today than last time we started a fire. It was obviously going to be more difficult to get the fire going this time around. After deciding on a location and doing a little site preparation we discussed what it would take to light a fire in these conditions. Our mentors, Tim and Jedidiah, showed the boys how to collect and prepare bundles of the finest Western Hemlock twigs for kindling, and everyone went out in search of this necessary fuel.

Setting up shop

Kindling

Once we all reconvened with our twig bundles, we realized that the difficulty wouldn't end there. Now we actually had to get them to light. We reviewed some of the lessons we learned on our last outing; remembering that the three pillars of fire are oxygen, heat, and fuel, as well as that fire will always travel upwards through fuel. And so began the process of ignition. One, two, three matches were used with limited success. The fourth match was used and although fire caught in the twigs, it didn't hold. We all came together and discussed the difficulties of fire and where we would go from here. One of the boys remembered he had some wooden matches and everyone decided the wanted to keep trying. The twig bundle we built was rearranged and improved, and with just a single wooden match fire sprang to life in the kindling. We started laying on finger thick wood we had collected earlier and after a few minutes added some wrist thick wood.

The final paper match

Building up

With some team efforts at stoking the flames and arranging fuel, our fire became self sustaining. As is apparently now tradition, we all dug through our packs to find anything we could to roast. This time included such gourmet delights as peanuts, orange slices, a cheese stick, and a granola bar. After making sure our fire was fully extinguished and erased we headed out happy with our accomplishments and looking forward to our next adventure with the Art of Fire. Next time we'll be heading out to Pine and Cedar Lakes for an epic day of hiking and exploration!

Be sure to check out the rest of the pics from this outing here.